Tag: design

Advice Center

Keep your neighbours happy and look into the party wall act 

14th November 20220

Firstly, what is the party wall act? 

The party wall act 1996 introduced a procedure for resolving disputes between owners of neighbouring properties. The Party Wall act prevents building work by one neighbour that can undermine the structural integrity of shared walls or neighbouring properties. 

What is a party wall? 

A party wall is a wall that stands on one owner’s land, but is used by two or more owners to separate their buildings.  

What is covered by the act?  

There are certain items of work that you can only be done after notifying the adjoining owners and either receiving written agreement of the neighbour. This includes:  

  • Demolishing and rebuilding a party wall 
  • Underpinning a party wall or part of a party wall 
  • Inserting a damp proof course, even if it’s on your side of the wall.  
  • Cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam 
  • Excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations  
  • Rasing a party wall and, if necessary, cutting off any objects preventing it from happening  
  • excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations 
  • excavating foundations within six metres of a neighbour’s structure and below a line drawn down at 45° from the bottom of its foundations. 

Reaching an agreement with your neighbours –  

Sending a notice to your neighbours is the first step of the process, without the issue of valid notices, no action can be taken.  

Written notices must be to the neighbours at least two months before starting any party wall works. Your notice must contain: 

  • The name and address of the building owner 
  • The nature and particulars of proposed work. Including plans, sections, and details of construction methods.   
  • The date on which the proposed work will begin 

Once you’ve given your notice your neighbour can: 

  • Give consent in writing  
  • Refuse consent, which will start the dispute resolution process.  
  • Serve a counter notice requesting additional works be done at the same time 

Finally, your neighbour must let you know in writing within 14 days if they consent to your notice.  

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Extensions

Porch extensions: are they worth it?

11th November 20220

Building a porch extension can improve your home in many ways. Firstly, they’re a great way to add extra space, and security. As well as, redesigning the look of the front of your house. If you are considering whether you should add a porch to your home, there are a few factors to account for first.  

Why do houses have porches? 

 Security –  

For many families, the biggest benefit is that porches increase the security of your home. This is because the act as an extra barrier, protecting your home from any unwanted visitors. Having to break through two entrances might put off home invaders, or at least give you some extra time to call the police.  

Energy efficient – 

Porches can help your homes energy efficiency. When it’s cold outside, and you enter your porch the second door creates a barrier and prevents the cold air from sweeping into your hallway. It also provides a space to take of your dirty shoes in the winter, so the house stays clean.  

Space –  

Although, it may not seem like a huge addition a porch can add a lot of valuable space. It’s the perfect area to store coats, shoes or outdoor items you might not want inside your home. Particularly if your front door leads straight into your living room or kitchen.  

Aesthetic –  

One of the main reasons people choose to install a porch is to improve the aesthetic of their home. A well-built and decorated porch can create a welcoming entryway instead of just a regular door.  

Will a porch add value to your home? 

Firstly, by adding a porch you are increasing the square footage of your property which will add value to your property. A porch will provide an average return on investment of 84%. The cost and return varies by region, as some places are more suitable for porches than others.    

Image: https://i-glaze.co.uk/benefits-porches-for-modern-homes/

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Flat Conversions

What you need to know about converting a house into flats 

10th November 20220

We all know that there aren’t enough homes in the UK for its growing population. So, converting a house into two or more flats is becoming increasingly popular. More homeowners are now realising that splitting their property into units helps them increase rental income and increase property value. 

Here is a guide on turning your house into flats –  

Firstly, do your research –  

An essential part of the process is researching the area ore looking to convert in and what the rental market looks like.  

Some of the things you need to look for is –  

  • If there are flats in demand in the area 
  • If your area is close to or within a busy commuter area 
  • And what the average rental income for similar properties in the area are.  

You should research thoroughly and compile as much information as possible before you decide to make the jump.  

Planning permission –  

If a house has to be divided into multiple plats, it will be required to acquire planning permission. The local authority will be able to decide the size of each flat, how many rooms there will be and if you will be able to go ahead with the conversion.   

If you haven’t yet purchased the house you intend to convert into flats, you should check with the local planning department before investing. Additionally, there may be certain requirements for you to consider. These can vary from; minimum flat size, soundproofing between the neighbouring flats, insulation for energy efficiency and comfort, fire safety, and potentially more. Parking availability may also play a role. 

Building regulations –  

When a property is converted, it is required to get approval under the Building Regulations. It is required under the Housing Act 2004 for sub-divided buildings to meet standards. Also. There are likely to be health and safety laws to adhere to, such as providing fire escapes, fire alarms, separate electricity supplies, and so on.   

Flats conversion costs –  

In addition the cost of converting a house into flats depends on the property. Factors that can influence the cost are: 

  • Size of the property  
  • Condition of the house 
  • Number of flats to be converted to 

Obviously, the cost varies enormously, depending on the area you choose to buy in, the style of property that you purchase, and the sort of conversion you want to carry out. So, as a ballpark figure, expect to pay around £25,000 for a basic conversion. 

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Loft Conversion

A guide to the different types of dormers  

9th November 20220

What is a dormer roof? 

Firstly, a dormer roof is a built-in structure which adds space and height in a loft, they often always contain windows. Dormers are a popular investment because they can open up a dark and stuffy room.  

Here are some of the different types of dormers:  

Gable fronted dormer –  

A gable dormer is the most common type. It has a simple pitched roof with two sloped planes, supported by a vertical frame that rises so that a triangle section forms. It’s also known as a dog house dormer because they have a similar shape.  

They aren’t the fanciest architectural designs, but they became popular due to the light, space, and symmetry it adds to the home. Also, they help water flow down the sides and away from the windows. This helps prevent flooding, leaks and structural damage to the home.  

Image: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/283586107756021214/

Hip roof dormer –  

A hipped dormer is a roof composed of three sloped planes that rise from each side of the frame and come together at the ridge. Hip roofs aren’t as common as gable roofs because they are more difficult to construct, due to the complex system of rafters and trusses.  

Flat roof dormer –  

The roof of this dormer is a single flat plane, which is horizontal. Although, they are slightly inclined to allow water to run off. Many people opt for a flat roof because they are cheaper to build, and they allow for bigger windows.   

https://liquidapplied.co.uk/portfolio-items/grp-fibreglass-flat-roofing/

Eyebrow/ eyelid dormer –  

This type of dormer is a low wide dormer with a curved roof and no sides. They emerged in Britain when homeowners began to build small arched windows in their cottages centuries ago.  

Wall dormer –  

Rather than setting the dormer partway up the roof’s slope, a wall dormer appears to be a continuation of the wall above eaves level. They aren’t that common dormer types since they don’t add a lot of aesthetic value to the house. 

(Image credit: Chris Snook )
Advice Center

Fire proofing your home: What you need to know 

7th November 20220

A house fire is one of the scariest things a person can experience. More than 37,000 house fires are reported each year in the UK. It is devastating how fast things can take a turn for the worst. Around 200 – 300 people a year lose their lives due to household fires. This is why fire proofing your home is so important. Read on to find the best ways to fire proof your home.  

What does fire proofing mean? 

It’s the process of making buildings resistant to fire damage by including fireproof materials. This doesn’t guarantee that it will never burn, but it can reduce the impact of the extreme heat.  

Is fire proofing necessary?  

Yes, it protects buildings from collapsing and enables time for a safe evacuation of residents in the buildings.  

Ways to fire proof your homes –  

Use fire resistant materials –  

The materials you use for your home can have a big impact on your safety, and not many people know that. When it comes to materials, concrete panels, stucco or brick for exterior walls, steel framing for windows and concrete or metal for roofing are all good choices. Fire retardant paint is also a good idea. For decking, concrete, tiles, stone or brick are better than wood. 

After the great fire of London in 1666, thatched roofs were banned in the city to avoid another rapid spread of fire. Although, statistically homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than those with conventional roofs. However, if they do the results are often rapid and spectacular. It seems worse, mainly because thatched fires in unprotected properties usually causes severe damage and therefore receives maximum publicity. 

Check and install smoke alarms –  

Smoke alarms are very important in homes, they provide early warnings of smoke and fire in your house. The best place to put a smoke detector is on the ceiling in the hallways and the landing. You shouldn’t put smoke alarms in the kitchen or bathrooms. You should check your smoke alarms at least once a month to see if they still work. And change the batteries every 6 months.  

Have a fire extinguisher on hand –  

Having an extinguisher handy can make all of the difference between a small incident in the kitchen and the entire house Burning down. A good place to keep one is in the kitchen, as that is where many fires start. Make sure it is handy and accessible to everyone in the house. 

Clear the gutters –  

Even if your roof if made from fire resistant materials, if you have leaves and debris up there it can cause a fire. Cleaning our cutters regularly is a good idea. Also, if you have a chimney, you should get that cleaned once a year to check for soot build up.  

(Image credit: Chris Snook )
Architecture & Building

Advantages and disadvantages of Shipping container homes 

4th November 20220

Shipping container homes have become increasingly more popular over the years. This is because living a more sustainable and cheaper life is becoming more people each day.  

What are shipping container homes? 

If you have never heard of this type of home, they are exactly what they sound like. They are houses typically made up of multiple shipping containers joined together.  

Shipping container sizes –  

Shipping containers come in a range of different sizes. The most common types are 10ft, 20ft and 40ft. A 20ft container can hold up to a 3-bedroom home and have enough room to store all of your furniture, boxes, and appliance, too. Also, these storage containers measure 20’ long, 8’ wide, and 8.5’ tall. 

How much do they cost? 

Furthermore, the total average cost of for a DIY shipping container home in the UK is between £20,000- £80,000.  

Advantages of container homes –  

They are prefab –  

Shipping container homes are available as prefabricated modular homes, meaning construction time shorter. Building inspections are completed at the factory, and this simplifies and speeds up the process. Some companies advertise delivery in under 10 weeks. 

Environmentally friendly-  

Container homes are often labelled as being environmentally friendly because firstly, you’re recycling, which is one of the greenest things you can do. Secondly, you are saving metal resources.  

Easy to transport –  

Because shipping container have been around a while there are experienced delivery systems in place to make the move easy as possible. Once they get to your property it is a quick and simple process of constructing them.  

Disadvantages of container homes –  

Structural issues-  

In addition, if you want to stack the containers to create a larger home, you may have to weld them together. So, this process can be costly.  

Safety concerns –  

Usually, you would be unaware of what was once shipped in the containers such as, hazardous materials. The paints and finishes used on containers are industrial, and not for residential homes, so that they could contain toxic pesticides. 

Photo : studiokfa

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Extensions

Flat pack extensions: how to save money 

3rd November 20220

Every homeowner will need extra space in their home at some point in their lives. Most people think that moving house is the only option, when in reality there are many routes, you could go down. Flat pack extensions are a great way of adding extra space, and are way cheaper than a traditional extension or moving house. 

What is a flat-pack extension?   

A flat-pack extension is a home addition that is built off-site. Either in a workshop or a factory. Once it is constructed it’s delivered to your home, and then put together by the extension provider and a contractor.   

Just like a normal extension, there are many different styles of flat-pack extensions, for example:   

  • Steel  
  • Timber   
  • Brick    
  • uPVC   

How much do flat pack extensions cost? 

On average a flat pack extension can cost between £1260 – £1680 per square metre. A single storey extension (20 sqm) between £26,250 – £35,350. Including labour costs of £150 – £250 per person per day for roughly a week. Although, these prices don’t include fittings or finishings.  

Alterations to the main house –  

By adding an extension to your home, you will be making structural changes to the property. To ensure your home stays structurally sound, you may need to add steal support beams. You might need to hire a chartered surveyor to inform you of the condition of your property before the work.  

In addition, you’ll have to hire someone to install the plumbing, electric and gas before the extension is constructed  

How much cheaper are flat pack extensions compared to a traditional one? 

Flat pack extensions are the more affordable way to add space to your home. They can typically cost 25% less than a traditional extension. 

DIY –  

Whilst you could build your own flat pack extension, it might cost you extra if you make any mistakes. So, it might be best to leave the job to the professionals, as they are more skilled and experienced.  

Copyright © 2013 Dab Architecture.

Architecture & Building

Revolutionary female architects that shaped the Industry

2nd November 20220

Architecture has often been seen as an extremely male-dominated field. However, there are female architects who are changing the industry and are also working to ensure that young female architects feel inspired to keep going.

Eileen Gray (9th August 1878 – 31st October 1976) –  

Eileen Gray was an Irish architect and furniture designer wo became a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture. 

By 1921, Gray was romantically involved with Romanian architect and writer Jean Badovici. He encouraged her growing interest in architecture. From 1922/1923 to 1926 Gray created an informal architectural apprenticeship for herself as she never received any formal training as an architect. 

In 1926, she started work on a new holiday home near Monaco to share with Badovici. The house was given the enigmatic name of E-1027. It was code for the lovers’ names; the E standing for Eileen, the 10 for J, meaning Jean, the 2 for B standing for Badovici. And the 7 for G standing for Gray. 

E-1027 is a modernist villa in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s an L shaped, flat roofed villa with floor to ceiling windows and spiral staircases. It also had an open plan interior that mixed moving screens with fixed walls.  

Gray only ever completed three more architectural projects. A house for herself near Castellar, a studio apartment in Paris for Badovici, and a final renovation project in St Tropez—before she passed away in the ’70s. 

Getty Images

Dame Zaha Hadid (31st October 1950 – 31st March 2016) – 

Dame Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect, artist, and designer, recognised as a major figure in architecture. 

For many years, Hadid was a “paper architect.” But during this time, she established her reputation through her drawings, paintings, and by teaching architecture internationally at schools. In the ’90s, her work was finally given the chance to be realised in physical form by way of the Vitra Fire Station. 

More work followed in Europe, each more ambitious than the next. Including the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Bergisel Ski-Jump on Bergisel Mountain in Innsbruck, Austria. The New York Times called the former the “most important American building to be completed since the Cold War” and marked the first American museum designed by a woman. 

A year after the completion of the art museum, Hadid was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2004. Not only was she the first woman to receive the prize, Hadid began to attract more media attention as well as higher profile clients. 

Denise Scott Brown (3rd October 1931 – Present) –  

Denise Scott Brown is considered to be one of the most highly influential female architects. She was then a partner at Venturi Scott Brown Architects. She shaped most of the 20th century’s architecture. Furthermore, Denise refers to herself as the grandmother of architecture. Some of her highly acclaimed designs are of buildings such as the Sainsbury Wing of the London’s National Gallery, Provincial Capitol Building of Toulouse and Seattle Art Museum.   

image by frank hanswijk, courtesy of venturi, scott brown and associates
main image by robert venturi, courtesy of venturi, scott brown and associates
Loft Conversion

What are the planning rules for Terraced House Loft Conversions? 

2nd November 20220

When homeowners are looking to add more space to their homes, loft conversions are a great route to look down. According to the ONS UK housing report, there are more than 30% terraced houses in the country. Most of the houses are situated in areas, where people want to live. Which is why many people are looking to add on to their property.  

Factors that need to be considered –  

There are factors which need to be considered when having a loft conversion in a terraced house, but some of them apply to any kind of loft conversion: 

  • Budget 
  • Planning constraints 
  • Access from the floor below 

Budget –  

Before you do any type of work on your home, you need to make sure that you can fit it in your budget. Well done loft conversions can be pricey. For example, a simple loft conversion starting costs can be around £25k.  

Planning application –  

Loft conversions on terraced houses don’t automatically require planning permission as long as they stay within the bounds of what is known as Permitted Development. 

A loft conversion will fall under permitted development and does not require planning permission as long as it meets the following conditions: 

  • The head height must be above 2.2m.  
  • The new loft space won’t be larger than 40 cubic meters for terraced houses. 
  • The loft conversion does not extend higher than the highest part of the existing roof. 
  • The loft conversion does not include any verandas, balconies, or raised platforms. 
  • It is made using materials that are similar in appearance to the rest of the house. 
  • Any side-facing windows must be obscure-glazed (to stop people from seeing in and out). 
  • Any side-facing windows must be at least 1.7m above the ground. 
  • Your home is not located in certain designated areas, including national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), conservation areas, and World Heritage Sites. 
  • A roof extension, with the exception of hip-to-gable extensions, must be set back at least 20cm from the original eaves. 
  • A roof extension must not overhang the outer wall of the original house. 
Image: https://www.absolutelofts.com/galleries/aerial-view-of-l-shaped-dormer-loft-conversion-in-hackney-e5-east-london-victorian-terrace/

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Garage Conversion

Garage conversion: is it right for you? 

21st October 20220

How to know a garage conversion is right for your home – 

Before you start planning, you first need to accurately assess whether converting a garage is the right option for your home or not. No doubt converting a garage have lots of benefits. But it is also true that it can put a lot of load on your bank account. 

It is easy to get planning permission for this type of conversion. However, it depends on the area you live in. Furthermore, you need to give away your garage space to get some extra living space at home. If you own a car and parking on the street is an issue, then it can devalue your home. Moreover, you need to consider which type of room you want to convert your garage in: 

  • Kitchen Extension 
  • Bedroom 
  • Bathroom 
  • Gym 
  • Cinema 
  • Family room 

Well, all of these options have their benefits. Some of them cannot help with increasing the value of your property compared to their counterparts. If you have the plan to sell your home in the future, then you should keep this in mind. 

Benefits of a garage conversion –  

There are lots of benefits when choosing a garage conversion as a way to extend your house. One of the advantages is that it is a cheap way to increase living space. If your home has two garages, then you can convert the half-space. In this way, you will have a place to park your car and extra living space for your family. 

Another great benefit is that you do not need to change the structure of the house and do not need to lay down new foundations, which can help you save a lot of money. Usually, the garage has electricity, which means it can reduce garage conversion cost even more. 

When we compare the garage conversion with other options, it is most cost-effective 

How much will it cost?  

Any type of house extension services can cost thousands of pounds. When we talk about garage conversion cost, you can expect to pay £11,000 to £25,000 in 2021. However, the actual cost of a project depends on various factors such as garage size, plans, etc. It can also add up to 20% to the value to your home.